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DENVER (CBS4) – It’s a battle against time and the weather for the Colorado Department of Transportation for roads and bridges that need to be repaired or replaced. The repair crews have to work fast because winter weather will be in Colorado soon.

The Dec. 1 deadline is just 72 days away but CDOT Executive Director Don Hunt says they have to do it.

“That goal is absolutely realistic. We have a very creative staff, we have a creative contracting construction community, we have the National Guard,” Hunt said.

The National Guard will handle most of Highway 36 but the most audacious goal is Big Thompson Canyon.

“We’re entering a phase now where we’re just trying to get something that’s drivable and safe,” Hunt said. “That’s very different from the final reconstruction of all of these roadways which will take one or two years.”

Getting critical links open is the most important goal. The erosion, however, is creating a problem for rebuilding.

“Is can we put a temporary bridge over where the new river is and use the old bridge, keep it in place and restore that route? Then we have a second decision to make about does the river belong in the old channel or the new place.”

The work will begin as soon as possible.

“We think we’ll select up to three. We received 14 proposals this morning at 7 a.m. We’ll be selecting over the weekend.”

A number of the construction companies will get to work immediately after they find out if they won the proposed bid.

A lot of people said they would rather have the job done better rather than quickly. CDOT says it will be a little bit of both.